NATCHEZ — Tommy McCoy’s vertical leap isn’t the only thing that’s rising at Trinity Episcopal Day School.

The junior forward averages 21 points a game, and he’s a high-flying athlete that excites the game with slam dunks.

But McCoy has managed to a 3.6 GPA at Trinity, while helping lead the football team to the 2012 MAIS Class A state championship and leading the basketball team to a 24-1 record as they prepare for the semifinals of the state tournament.

McCoy said the 2011-2012 season was a turnaround from his freshman year, and McCoy was ready to step up to the plate as a vital part of what makes the Saints a threat on the court.

“After the first game, I scored 26 points and I understood that I was going to be the scorer,” he said.

Trinity head coach Edwin White said he never had a team as disciplined as this squad, and McCoy is a reason they have had a successful season.

“He has been the difference between our team winning and losing,” White said. “It’s been a joy to coach him and I expect more from him in the future.

“He’s the leader, as he goes we go. He is the best defensive player, and he is the orchestrator for our offense.”

Off the court, McCoy said he spends a lot of time at school getting caught up on his schoolwork, because the Port Gibson resident doesn’t get home until late at night,

“If the teacher gives us extra time, I’ll do my homework and the girls (basketball team) have practice at 3 p.m., so I’ll go to tutoring or study hall until practice.”

McCoy said his favorite subject is math as he plans to major in accounting. McCoy doesn’t know what college he will attend, but said his dream school is Ole Miss.

The junior scored a 23 on the ACT, but he said he’s shooting for a 26 before he graduates.

He is the son of Alpha and Ernest McCoy.